Mugi Cha, or Barley Tea, is a traditional Japanese beverage made from roasted barley grains steeped in water. Popular across Japan, Korea (where it’s called boricha), and China, this naturally caffeine-free tea is celebrated for its toasty, nutty flavor and its cooling, hydrating properties, especially during the hot summer months.
Served both hot and cold, Mugi Cha is commonly enjoyed as a daily drink, often replacing water at mealtimes. The flavor is mild yet distinct, with a slight bitterness and deep roasted undertones that make it incredibly refreshing. It contains no sugar or calories (unless sweetened), making it a healthy, guilt-free alternative to sugary sodas and energy drinks.
Traditionally, Mugi Cha is made by simmering roasted barley kernels in water or by steeping pre-packaged tea bags. Cold-brewing it in the refrigerator overnight is a popular method during summer, resulting in a crisp, clean taste that helps cool the body and aid digestion.
Besides being refreshing, Mugi Cha is believed to offer several health benefits. It may support digestion, promote blood circulation, and help reduce fatigue. Due to its antioxidant properties and lack of caffeine, it’s suitable for children, pregnant women, and those trying to avoid stimulants.
Whether you’re enjoying a quiet moment at home or looking to add a healthy beverage to your routine, Mugi Cha provides a comforting, earthy flavor with centuries of tradition behind every sip.
Ingredients
- 1 cup roasted barley
Instructions
- In a medium-sized pot, add the roasted barley and 4 cups water.
- Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Remove the pot from heat and strain the tea into a pitcher or teapot.
- Serve the barley tea hot or chilled.
Mugi cha is lifesaver! I love how it’s caffeine-free, and my kids can drink it too! Highly recommend! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was way too easy! I thought it would be complicated but it was super simple! My kids liked it too.
Does it really taste good? I tried once and it was kinda bland. How can it be better? 🤔
I think it’s all about the brewing time! I let mine steep for longer and it really brought out the flavor. Give that a try! 😊
Took me too long to boil! Had to check my phone every 5 minutes. Not great.
This tastes really nice but I wish the recipe mentioned whether to rinse the barley or not. I used it straight and it was fine, just wondering.
(: Perfect summer drink! I chilled it and added lemon slices. Refreshing!
Barley tea is good for digestion, they say. I make it every week now! My family loves it. Give it a try, folks!
Good but I thought it would be sweeter or something… where’s the sugar? 😂 4 stars.
I don’t know, this barley tea tasted kinda bland to me. Maybe I did it wrong?
Mugi cha is actually from Japan, not Korea. Just saying. But I like it! ☕️
Mugi Cha for lyfe! So refreshing in summer! I drank it all the time in Japan.
Loved how simple this is—just barley + water and you get a cozy tea. I simmered mine closer to 35 min and it tasted a bit deeper. Chilled with ice was especially refreshing.
Does barley tea have caffeine? I need something to kick me awake in the mornin’!
Nope, barley tea is caffeine-free! It’s great for relaxation, but might not be the best for a morning kick!
I thought it had some caffeine! Guess I’ll stick to coffee then. Thanks for the info!
Isn’t barley tea supposed to be for hot weather? I drink it all year, haha! Funny!
I think it’s great you enjoy it year-round! Barley tea is so refreshing. Love it!
Love this tea! So refreshing, especially in summer. I added a bit of honey for sweetness. Yum!
I totally agree! Mugi Cha is the best, especially on hot days. Honey is a great touch! ☀️
I don’t get the hype. Isn’t barley tea just water with a hint of flavor? *shrugs*
Can you re-use the barley or is it one-and-done? I hate wasting food!
Not what I expected. The smell while boiling was kinda weird.
Simple and effective! I love how easy this recipe is. I added a bit of honey, and it was perfect! Will definitely make again.
I thought it would taste sweet. What a letdown! It was really bitter instead.
I’m sorry you didn’t like it! Mugi cha is supposed to be a bit nutty, not sweet. Maybe you brewed it too long?
Bitter? I thought it was supposed to be refreshing. Maybe you meant to make a sweet tea? 🤷♂️
I’m skeptical about how much flavor you get from just barley and water. Mine tasted kinda watery until I steeped/ simmered extra time. Next time I’ll roast the barley myself a bit darker.
Yeah I get your point—if the barley isn’t strong enough, it can totally taste thin. I’ve had better luck simmering closer to 40 mins and letting it sit off-heat for a bit before straining.
For some reason, mine tasted a bit bitter. Maybe I boiled it too long? 🤔
Mine didn’t taste like what I’ve had at restaurants. Maybe I used the wrong “roasted barley” because mine was more caramel-ish. Anyone have brand tips?
I made this for my family and they actually liked it! Surprised me.
Mugicha is a hit in our house! It’s easy nd healthy. Great for the kids too.
I love mugicha too! It’s so refreshing, especially in summer. Kids love it cold!
Tasted alright, but a bit bland for my liking.
This tastes so comforting—nutty and lightly toasted. I simmered a bit longer (about 35 min) and it got even richer. Definitely making again.
Yes! That nutty toasted flavor is exactly why I love this one. I usually do closer to 35 min too—totally richer.
I tried it and it was good, but mine tasted a little too mild. Maybe my barley wasn’t roasted enough? Still comforting though.
Wow, who knew making tea could be so easy! Will be making this again for sure!
Easy? I dunno, I burnt my barley last time. Maybe I’m just bad at cooking!
So glad you found it easy! Barley tea is super refreshing, especially in summer.
This is the best tea ever! I love the nutty flavor of barley. So good hot or cold! 🍵
Easy to make, but I feel like I messed it up somehow. Mine looked different.
This barley tea is amazing! I never thought I’d like tea made from barley, but it’s so refreshing. 5 stars!
Delicious and refreshing! I love it chilled on hot days.
Not my favorite. I prefer iced tea instead. Barley tea just aint it for me.
I tried it but wasn’t a fan. It tasted kinda bland to me. Maybe I did something wrong? I’ll stick to my regular tea. 2 stars.
Honestly, I was skeptical but this tastes way better than I thought it would. Who knew? Thx!
I can’t believe it! I always thought tea was just leaves. This is a game changer!
This is a healthy drink, but I’m not a fan of the smell. Can you add flavors like lemon?
What a tasty find! I added some mint leaves and it was delightful! Highly recommend.
Really? Isn’t barley tea just plain? I thought the idea was to keep it simple.
Mint leaves! That’s a great idea, I’ll have to try that next time.
OMG, I love barley! This tea is amazing!! 😂 Can’t believe it was so simple. 5 stars for sure!
Used 1 cup barley like the recipe says, but I think I boiled too hard at first because it turned kinda dark/strong. Still drinkable though.
idk… barley tea is kinda boring to me 😅 But I’m sure some people will love it.
Barley tea boring?? Nah, it’s comfort. Plus it’s caffeine-free (well, mostly) so I can drink it at night 😄
Totally get that—it’s pretty simple. I like it more when I add a splash of milk or a bit of honey.
Wow I can’t believe how easy this was! I thought it’d be complicated but nah, just boiling water! Love it!
Is it really that easy? I thought you had to do more with it, like add spices or something…
I totally agree! It’s amazing how something so simple can taste so good! I always have it ready in the fridge!
Barley tea? Isn’t that for horses?? Can’t believe people actually drink it.
Actually, barley tea is super popular in many countries and it’s really good for digestion! You should give it a try before knocking it!
Why would anyone wanna drink this? Sounds weird. No thanks!
This barley tea is amazing! So refreshing and easy to make. Definitely my new go-to drink!
Not sure why people drink this? It tastes like dirty water to me. 🤮
I tried making this and ended up with mushy barley all over the kitchen. How do you keep it from going everywhere???
Meh, I prefer regular tea lol. Too much work for this!
Honestly, this is one of those “why didn’t I think of it” drinks. The flavor is nutty and not too sweet, which I love.
I followed it exactly, but it tastes kinda flat to me. Maybe my barley wasn’t roasted enough? Still drinkable though.
So simple but so good. I drink it when I’m feelin’ kinda sick, helps my tummy.
Simple and yummy! My grandma used to make this all the time. Brings back memories.
Real good tea! I add honey and it comes out perfect.
Honey is a great addition! It makes everything better, especially tea. 🍯
Yum! I served it cold and added lemon. Family loved it! Thanks for sharing!
I tried making this, but my barley got burnt. Any tips for beginners?
Mugi Cha is sooo good for digestion! My grandma used to make it. A hidden gem!
I totally agree! My mom used to make it too. It’s the best for calming the stomach!
This barley tea is a game changer! I love it cold during summer.
This barley tea is so refreshing, I never knew it was this easy to make! Will definitely be my go-to drink from now on. Five stars!
super easy to make! Even my kids liked it! Will make again for sure!
This barley tea is fantastic! I’ve been looking for a healthy drink and this hits the spot. Thx for sharing!
I brewed this but my water didn’t look like tea, it looked like brown soup? Am I doing something wrong?
This barley tea is so refreshing! I love making it during the summer and serving it chilled. It’s like liquid gold! 🌟
Isn’t barley tea caffeinated? I thought it would keep me up at night, but I slept like a baby!
Barley tea is actually caffeine-free! That’s why it helps you relax and sleep well. No worries there! 😊
I thought tea was only made from tea leaves? This is weird. But I guess it’s okay if you like it. 🤷♂️
TASTY! Makes ya feel good inside. Don’t forget to chill it!
I agree! It’s so refreshing when chilled. Perfect for summer days!
Simple and comforting! I used roasted barley I already had and it smells super toasty. Chilled with ice was even better.
I tried making this for the first time and it was amazing! The roasted flavor is so rich. Definitely a keeper!
awesome recipie! I made this for my family and they all loved it!!! love love love!!!
Really? It’s just barley and water, I don’t get what’s so great about it…
So glad to hear that! It’s always a hit with my family too!
Wrong time! I only simmered 10 minutes (got distracted) and it was super bland. So yeah, you really gotta do the full 30 minutes at least.
Simple recipe but so good! I drink it just about every day, perfect for hot days.
I love Mugi Cha! It’s so refreshing, especially in summer. Thanks for sharing your experience!
I followed the recipe but it turned out bitter. Maybe I boiled it too long? Any tips?
Eh, I don’t know. It just tastes like water to me. Maybe I did something wrong? I used less barley than it says.